The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1887-08-05
TIE WATERWAY CONVENTION

THE representatives from various
parts of Oregon and Washington who
have been in session in this city in
the Columbia Waterway Convention,
have concluded their labors, and this
morning return to their homes.
Welcome the coming, speed the
parting guest" Astoria hopes that
their stay, brief though it has been,
by the pleasant shores OF the sea has
been one of pleasure, and that they
bear with them none but pleasant
remembrances Of their sojourn at the
gateway of the greatest river OF the
west.
"What good is done!" What prac-
tical work accomplished?" has been
asked.
That depends on two things, the
need of expectation and the amount
of "good" possible to accomplish.
That much good" must necessarily
result from the meeting of represen-
tative men from all parts of the Co
lumbia basin, goes without saying
There is, probably, not a man who at,
tended this session, or sat as a spec
tator. who does not know more now
than he did before the convention
This is one of the direct and most
beneficial results. Again, there is the
spirit of unity, Of fellowship, of com
mon interest, of realization of com.
munity fellowship that peryades the
mind, resultant from mental contact.
The practical good, the tangible re-
suit are not Immediately visible. Ii &
body like the Waterway Convention
could meet and raise large sum O
money and 'do something" right
away" probably, while that would
seem TO be very practical, and the
proper thing, yet it might turn ont
that there was not SO much progress
being made after all.
The subject under discussion by
this body is so vast one: 1t concerns
SO many people: it is in the thoughts
OF SO many minds: it affords so inter
esting field for hypothesis, theor!
and generalization, that it is, of neces
sity, very slow to crystalline into any
thing like shape.
The inception of this convention
was long step forward in the direc
ton Of a free river: its several ses
sions are all strides IN the same direc
ton, ana 1t is only ySSen one taxes 1
retrospective glance and sees by com
parison how much has been achieved
that it is realized what has beel
done?"
There is one thing that THE AsTo
RIAN would be glad to have borne il
mind by all in and out OF the conven
ton who have at heart the interests o
a free river: that constant effort, con
tinued activity, unceasing work, ar,
required TO accomplish desired re
suits. 1t viii be fourteen months t.
the next meeting. The duties of th'
members do not cease when the con
vention adjourns: it is body that il
always in session: every membe
whether an officer or not needs t.
work, talk the matter up, help aid il
securing sufficient finances to worth
ly and properly forward the -collec
ton of statistics, the dissemination o.
information and other necessary worl
the must be done and cannot be don
without money. There must be fund
procured to enable those In whom j
vested the trust of fulfilling the dutie
delegated to them, to see that thes
duties are properly carried out. Thi
is the business aspect of the matter
and as such we commend it to tn,
earnest cooperation and affirmative
action of every member of the associa
ton, which is now permanently OF
ganized.
THE Ne7cs SAWS that fhus far th